Kenneth Hogan is moments away from enjoying his first slice of New York City pizza in nearly 25 years. But before he can savor the moment, he has a long to-do list — starting with registering with the New York State Board of Parole.
Staying focused is imperative, Hogan said over the phone from prison days before being placed on supervised release for the remainder of his 25 years-to-life sentence for felony murder, robbery, and gun charges. He said that once he leaves the parole office with his wife by his side, he would “hit the ground running” and avoid becoming “another statistic.”
“Finally,” Hogan told Capital B on the phone moments after his release and on his way to the parole office. “It’s been a long road, but finally, I’m out. Thank you for your blessings. Give me more.”
For Hogan, staying on track is more than just a goal. Now an older Black father, he returns home with a felony conviction, a decades-long employment gap, and the current challenges of an unstable political and economic landscape — leaving his future uncertain…